Clinical trials landscape in a lower-middle-income country (Pakistan)
Hassan Mumtaz1,2, Syed Muhammad Ali Haider3, Fnu Neha4
1Clinical Research Associate, Maroof International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Insights
Clinical research in developing nations, particularly Pakistan, faces significant hurdles. Key barriers include insufficient funding, limited skilled professionals, and complex regulations, hindering progress in national health strategies.
Area of Science:
- Health Research
- Clinical Trials
- Developing Nations
Background:
- Developing nations advocate for greater national ownership of research priorities and alignment with health strategies.
- Clinical trials are crucial for advancing healthcare but face unique challenges in resource-limited settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review published studies on clinical trials in developing countries, with a specific focus on Pakistan.
- To identify barriers hindering clinical research in Pakistan and propose solutions for improvement.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature review was conducted using major online databases (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar).
- Searched World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) and ClinicalTrials.gov for trials in Pakistan (2000-2022).
Main Results:
- Clinical research in Pakistan is significantly impeded by a lack of funding, shortage of skilled personnel, and regulatory complexities.
- External funding, primarily from Western countries and pharmaceutical companies, dominates clinical trials in Pakistan.
Conclusions:
- Numerous barriers obstruct clinical studies in Pakistan, impacting national health research capacity.
- Enhancing funding, simplifying ethical and regulatory processes, and addressing cultural factors are vital for progress.
Abstract:
In recent times, there have been calls from within the developing nations for increased ownership by governmental research bodies and universities of the priority research setting and research that aligns with national health strategies. This is a review paper of the studies that have been published on clinical trials in developing countries, with a focus mainly on Pakistan. The literature review used online databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP), and ClinicalTrials.gov trial registries to search for clinical trials conducted in Pakistan between January 2000 and December 2022 and analyzed. The results revealed that clinical research in Pakistan is hindered by a number of barriers, including a lack of funding, skilled personnel, and regulatory issues. Lack of funding is a common obstacle, and the majority of funding for clinical trials originates from Western countries or pharmaceutical companies established in the West. In conclusion, clinical studies in developing countries, especially in Pakistan, are hindered by a plethora of barriers, and to improve the current state, increasing funding, streamlining ethical approval procedures, simplifying regulatory systems, addressing cultural and religious concerns, and participating in global efforts to bridge the gap in health-based research are crucial.
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